Biden Removes Cuba from Terrorism List, Aims to Ease Tensions Ahead of Transition
In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday the removal of Cuba from the list of countries that promote terrorism. This decision comes just days before Donald Trump is set to assume the presidency, following his first term during which he placed Cuba on the controversial list back in January 2021.
This action is expected to facilitate the release of several Cuban prisoners, part of a process that has been mediated by the Vatican. Senior officials from the Biden Administration confirmed to the press that this is a crucial step towards easing tensions between the two nations. In addition to removing the designation, Biden has also suspended the legal ability of U.S. citizens to sue Cuban authorities in U.S. courts over the expropriation of their properties and lifted some financial restrictions.
The White House has indicated that these efforts will lead to the release of a significant number of prisoners in Cuba, many of whom participated in the anti-government protests that erupted on July 11, 2021. Sources from the Biden Administration noted that numerous international partners, including the European Union, Spain, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Canada, have urged the U.S. to reconsider Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Cuba's inclusion in this list, which comes with severe sanctions, was justified by the U.S. at the time by pointing to the presence of members of the Colombian guerilla group National Liberation Army (ELN), who had traveled to Havana for peace negotiations with the Colombian government. This classification not only hinders arms sales but also imposes stricter visa requirements, economic sanctions, and increased control over exports.
Historically, Cuba has fluctuated in and out of this list. It was initially added in 1982, removed in 2015 by President Barack Obama during a thaw in relations, and then re-designated by Trump, who implemented a much harsher stance towards Havana. The Biden Administration’s recent moves, such as lifting the cap on remittances to Cuba, reflect a return to a more lenient approach, although Cuba had remained on the terrorism list until this announcement.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has vocally insisted that the U.S. remove his country from this list, deeming the designation as unjustified with dire economic consequences for the island nation. With the removal of Cuba from the list, the only nations currently labeled by the U.S. State Department as state sponsors of terrorism are North Korea, Iran, and Syria.
Biden's decision is viewed as a proactive measure towards normalizing relations and making strides in diplomatic engagements, especially ahead of the potential return of a more hardline administration under Trump, who has nominated Senator Marco Rubio—a known critic of the Cuban regime—as Secretary of State. This development could have far-reaching implications for U.S.-Cuba relations moving forward.
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